After treatment for laryngeal or Hypopharyngeal cancer, special help may be needed to adjust to the effects of treatment.

The type and duration of Side Effects depends on the type and extent of treatment.

Some Side Effects are temporary, and some are permanent.

We're here to assist patients and their families in successfully managing any Side Effects.

Doctors, Nurses, Dietitians and Speech Therapists can suggest ways to deal with Side Effects.

It may help to talk with another patient, too. In many instances, social workers can arrange a visit with someone who has had the same treatment.

The following list is a generalization of what Side Effects could occur, not necessarily what Side Effects will occur:

• Tender mouth sores
• Dry mouth due to Reduction of saliva
• Less Saliva and more tooth decay
• Change in the way the voice sounds, weak voice
• Feeling of a lump in the throat
• Extreme Fatigue
• Red or dry skin (at the site of radiation therapy)
• Sensitive tongue
• Bitter taste in mouth
• Loss of taste or smell
• Difficulty in Swallowing
• Numbness in parts of the neck and throat
• Weak and stiff shoulder and neck (if Lymph Nodes were also removed)
• Lowered resistance to infection
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Hair Loss

Remember, each situation is unique and no two people react alike to treatment.

In fact, Side Effects may vary from one treatment to the next.

Patients should talk with their Physician and Nurse about the Side Effects of treatment.

They can help explain more about what's happening, as well as suggest ways of managing any Side Effects patients might experience.

Living with cancer involves more than the physical aspects of dealing with the disease.

These programs, such as the Head and Neck Cancer Support Group, provide information and inspiration to head and Neck cancer survivors.

Here are some additional resources for the patient, family, friends and co-workers:

• Download nutritious and appetizing shake recipes
• Obtain advice on how to talk with a friend who has cancer
• Learn tips for handling cancer in the workplace

An essential portion of head and Neck cancer treatment is the need for Rehabilitation after aggressive treatment regimes have been employed.

Cosmetic appearance, Swallowing, Speech, Chewing and psychosocial functioning are all considered part of the Rehabilitation package.

Family, too, plays a critical role in supporting and encouraging the patient. Some functions and appearances become different with this disease, but the cancer patient is still the same person.

In about 50% of the cases a characteristic rash or lesion called Erythema migrans is seen. It begins a few days to a few weeks after the bite of an Infected tick. The rash generally looks like an expanding red ring. It is often described as looking like a Bull's-eye with alternating light and dark rings. However, it can vary from a reddish blotchy appearance to red throughout. And can be confused with poison ivy, spider or insect bite, or ringworm. At about the same time that the rash develops, Flu-like Symptoms may appear with headache, sore throat, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches, Fatigue and general malaise. Some people develop the Flu-like illness without getting a rash.

Seek prompt medical attention if any of these Symptoms appear, especially after being bitten by a tick or visiting an area where Lyme disease is common. If possible document the presence of the rash by taking a picture because it may disappear before a physician can see it. A picture in this case is worth 10,000 words!

If ignored, the early Symptoms may disappear, but more serious problems can develop months to years later. The later Symptoms of Lyme disease can be quite severe and chronic. Muscle pain and arthritis, usually of the large joints is common. Neurological Symptoms include Meningitis, Numbness, Tingling, and Burning sensations in the extremities, Bell's palsy (Loss of control of one or both sides of the face), severe pain and Fatigue (often extreme and incapacitating) and Depression. Heart, eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems can develop. Symptoms are often Intermittent lasting from a few days to several months and sometimes years. Chronic Lyme disease, because of its diverse Symptoms, mimics many other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose.

The methods used to treat Endocrine Cancer are very powerful.

That's why Treatment often causes Side Effects.

Fortunately, most Side Effects are temporary.

The Side Effects of Chemotherapy depend on the drugs given and the individual response of the patient. Chemotherapy commonly affects rapidly growing cells, such as blood cells that fight infection and cells that line the digestive tract. As a result, patients may have Side Effects such as lower resistance to infection, Loss of appetite, Nausea and Vomiting, and mouth sores. They may also lose their hair. These Side Effects usually end after Chemotherapy is finished.

During Radiation Therapy, patients may notice a number of Side Effects. They may become unusually tired as the Treatment continues. Resting as much as possible is important. Skin reactions (Redness or dryness) in the area being treated are also common. Patients should be gentle with the treated area of skin. Lotions and creams should not be used without the doctor's advice. When the chest and neck area is treated, patients may have a dry, sore Throat and may have some trouble Swallowing. Sometimes, they have Shortness of Breath or a dry cough. Radiation Therapy to the Abdomen may cause Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea. Some patients may have tingling or Numbness in their arms, legs and lower back. These Side Effects gradually disappear when Treatment is over.

Loss of appetite can be a problem for patients receiving Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy. Researchers are learning that patients who eat well are better able to tolerate the Side Effects of their Treatment. Therefore, good Nutrition is important. Eating well means getting enough calories to prevent weight loss and having enough protein in the diet to build and repair skin, hair, muscles and organs. Many patients find that eating several small meals and snacks throughout the day is easier than trying to have three large meals.

The Side Effects that patients have during Cancer Therapy vary from person to person and may even be different from one Treatment to the next. Doctors try to plan Treatment to keep problems to a minimum. Doctors, nurses and dietitians can explain the Side Effects of cancer Treatment and can suggest ways to deal with them.